1. J.D. Martinez, RF, 30: The ex-Tigers slugger owes another ex-Tigers slugger, Justin Upton, a fruit basket or something, given that Upton opted not to opt-out with the Angels, and instead re-upped for an extra year — making Martinez the biggest bat on the market, and setting the standard for his payday. Hiring Scott Boras as his new agent doesn't hurt, either. PREDICTION: Red Sox, 5Y/$122M. UPDATE: Red Sox, 5Y/$110M.
Mark J. Terrill, AP

2. Shohei Otani, SP/OF, 23: Perhaps the most intriguing name on the free-agent market, because he's like baseball's version of a unicorn — a true two-way player. In Japan the last five years, he has an OPS of .859 and a WHIP of 1.076. He's limited to a minor-league contract, because of the new CBA, plus a singing bonus within a club's allotted pool. The posting fee should be $20M. PREDICTION: Yankees. UPDATE: Angels.
Masterpress, Getty Images

3. Yu Darvish, SP, 31: His World Series duds may cost him some appeal with the team that acquired him at the deadline, the Dodgers, but he'll have suitors, especially given the weak starting-pitching pool — especially with Masahiro Tanaka not opting out — not to mention, the right-hander is coming off his first completely healthy season since 2013. Make no mistake, he's an ace. PREDICTION: Cubs, 5Y/$110M; UPDATE: Cubs, 6Y/$126M.
Matt Slocum, Associated Press

4. Eric Hosmer, 1B, 28: It's quite sad, really. The Royals spent all those years tearing things down so they could build back up, and it paid off handsomely with two trips to the World Series, including one championship. But now the bill's coming due, with Hosmer leading the stable of stars who've probably priced themselves out of the Kansas City market. PREDICTION: Mariners, 5Y/$95M. UPDATE: Padres, 8Y/$144M.
Charlie Riedel, Associated Press

5. Mike Moustakas, 3B, 29: Another of those Royals lifers likely on their way out of town, Moose became a legitimate star three years ago and carried it over this year — the biggest production season of his seven-year career. That comes at a perfect time, as the free-agent pool for hitters, and especially third basemen, probably is as weak as it’s ever going to get. PREDICTION: Angels, 5Y/$82M
Paul Sancya, Associated Press

6. Jake Arrieta, SP, 32: Ever since he arrived in Chicago in the middle of the 2013 season, there have been few starters as valuable as the big, burly right-hander, who won a Cy Young in 2015 and was the ace of the staff during the 2016 World Series run. The looming question is whether that 2015 workload is catching up with him. The innings declined significantly since. PREDICTION: Rangers, 5Y/$90M
Nam Y. Huh, Associated Press

7. Zack Cozart, SS, 32: You don't hear a ton about him on a national scale, because he’s played for some pretty awful Cincinnati ballclubs. But he's coming off a monster season, in which he had an OPS of .933 and made his first All-Star team. There's always a question if the offense is juiced by that small ballpark, but defense travels, and he's surely no slouch there. PREDICTION: Reds, 4Y/$53M. UPDATE: Angels, 3Y/$38M.
John Minchillo, Associated Press

8. Lorenzo Cain, CF, 32: Yet another of those Royals stars who's priced himself out of that market — with a 5.3 WAR in 2017, he could actually make the case he's a $30-million-a-year ballplayer. No way he does that well on the open market, but some team is going to get a burner with surprising pop who plays some of the best defense in the majors, at a prime position.
PREDICTION: Brewers, 4Y/$68. UPDATE: Brewers, 5Y/$80M.
Phil Long, Associated Press

9. Wade Davis, RP, 32: In the last four seasons, since this right-hander made the full-time transition from starter to reliever, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more dynamic guy out of the bullpen. Oddly, he allowed six homers in 2017, after allowing just three, total, the previous three years, but his strikeout-per-nine-inning mark (12.1) was second-best of his career. PREDICTION: Cubs, 4Y/$58M. UPDATE: Rockies, 3Y/$52M.
Charles Rex Arbogast, Associated Press

10. Greg Holland, RP, 32: The veteran right-handed closer had a $15 million player option, which he declined after re-establishing his stock on a one-year deal for 2017. Coming off Tommy John surgery, he proved to be one of the shrewdest signings of last offseason, shining in Colorado of all places. He's certainly due for a lucrative, multi-year contract now. PREDICTION: Rockies, 3Y/$48M
David Zalubowski, Associated Press

11. Jay Bruce, RF, 31: He looked for a bit like he might fall into the Jason Bay trap, a stud in Pittsburgh, and a bust with the New York Mets, never to re-emerge again. But after a sluggish start in Queens, Bruce got it together in 2017, then continued the good times after a summer trade to the Indians. PREDICTION: Blue Jays, 4Y/$70M. UPDATE: Mets, 3Y/$39M.
Frank Franklin II, Associated Press

12. Lance Lynn, SP, 30: After missing all of 2016 recovering from Tommy John surgery, the right-hander bounced back in a big way, making every one of his starts and posting the best hits-per-nine-innings mark (7.3) of his six-year career. That said, walks were up, strikeouts were down, a bit of a red flag. PREDICTION: Mets, 5Y/$81M
Jeff Roberson, Associated Press

13. Addison Reed, RP, 29: In his seven-year career, he's been a bit of a vagabond, the Red Sox in 2017 being his fourth major-league team. So sometimes it's easy to forget how effective the right-hander has been, whether in the closer's role or a setup situation. He's top-shelf, no doubt. PREDICTION: Nationals, 3Y/$42M. UPDATE: Twins, 2Y/$16.75M.
John Minchillo, Associated Press

14. Carlos Santana, 1B, 32: This will be a big test for the Indians, to see if ownership shells out big bucks to keep some of its prime talent, when it's been reluctant to spend lavishly in recent winters. The switch-hitting first baseman/DH is one of the cogs behind the franchise's renaissance. PREDICTION: Indians, 5Y, $80M. UPDATE: Phillies, 3Y/$60M.
Kathy Willens, Associated Press

15. Jonathan Lucroy, C, 31: He had a bit of a falloff early this season with the Rangers, but found his groove again after a summer trade to the Rockies — a perk-up that came at the right time, given the limited supply of quality catchers on the market. Still, his WAR was down 6.1 since 2014. PREDICTION: Rockies, 3Y/$46M
David Zalubowski, Associated Press

16. Alex Cobb, SP, 30: Another seeming Tommy John success story, he missed all of 2015 and almost all of 2016, before bouncing back in a big way in 2017. The strikeouts still are working their way back up, but there aren't many Nos. 2 or 3 starters available on the open market, if there are any. PREDICTION: Twins, 4Y/$56M
Chris O'Meara, Associated Press

17. Welington Castillo, C, 31: The Orioles last winter made the tough choice to part ways with longtime fan favorite Matt Wieters and go in a different direction, and boy did it work out — probably too well, as Castillo, with his .813 OPS declined his $7 million option to take a swing at a big payday. PREDICTION: Orioles, 3Y/$33M. UPDATE: White Sox, 2Y/$15M.
Julie Jacobson, Associated Press

18. Neil Walker, 2B, 32: The guy known 'round these parts as Don Kelly's brother-in-law, he's been one of the steadiest second basemen in baseball since the start of the decade. He took the qualifying offer last winter, but probably has his sights set on a multi-year contract this time around. PREDICTION: Rangers, 4Y/$53M
Morry Gash, AP

19. Logan Morrison, 1B, 30: Folks have been waiting a long time for this guy to emerge as a big-time player, and it finally happened with the Rays in 2017, as he set career highs in homers (38), RBIs (85) and OPS (.868). Given it took eight years, you've gotta beware of the one-hit wonder possibility. PREDICTION: Red Sox, 3Y/$37M
Paul Beaty, Associated Press

20. Todd Frazier, 3B, 32: Whoever loses out on Mike Moustakas will view the “Todd Father” as the consolation prize, one who can slug with the best of them, and one who is an emotional leader, too. Just ask the Yankees, who would seem to be plenty open to discussions on retaining his services. PREDICTION: Yankees, 3Y/$39M. UPDATE: Mets, 2Y/$17M.
David Dermer, Associated Press

21. Carlos Gonzalez, RF, 32: It seems like he’s been playing on a 20-year deal but it was only seven — and it's finished, making it probably that after all these years of trade rumors, he's finally leaving the Rockies. PREDICTION: Diamondbacks, 3Y/$48M
David Zalubowski, Associated Press

22. Joe Smith, RP, 34: The relief market always is tricky, given the up-and-down nature of bullpen folks, from one year to the next. But this veteran right-hander is an exception, as steady as they come. PREDICTION: Nationals, 3Y/$23M. UPDATE: Astros, 2Y/$15M.
Tony Dejak, Associated Press

23. Brandon Morrow, RP, 33: After five years of injuries, the right-hander finally had a healthy full season — and emerged as a serious force out of the Dodgers bullpen, even pitching in all seven World Series games. PREDICTION: Dodgers, 3Y/$21M. UPDATE: Cubs, 2Y/$21M.
Rick Scuteri, Associated Press

24. Michael Pineda, SP, 29: This is a tricky one, given he had Tommy John surgery this summer. Bad timing, since recovery is a year or more. But the right-hander showed flashes, and could be worth an incentive-laden gamble. PREDICTION: Royals, 2Y/$20M. UPDATE: Twins, 2Y/$10M, plus possible incentives.
Kathy Willens, Associated Press

25. Yonder Alonso, 1B, 31: After years of relative anonymity, he broke out in a big way with the A's and Mariners, easily setting career highs in homers (28), RBIs (67) and OPS (.866). He slowed a bit down the stretch, however. PREDICTION: Angels, 4Y/$47M. UPDATE: Indians, 2Y/$16M.
Frank Franklin II, Associated Press

26. Chris Iannetta, C, 35: He's been around forever. OK, really just 12 years. And it was Year No. 12 in which he posted one of his top offensive years. The Arizona desert sure agreed with him, to the tune of an .865 OPS. PREDICTION: Pirates, 3Y/$23M. UPDATE: Rockies, 2Y/$8.5M, with $5.25M option for 2020.
Matt York, Associated Press

27. Eduardo Nunez, IF, 30: He can play all over the diamond (five positions in 2017, including third, second and short), and can hit while doing it. His .801 OPS was a career high, in a split season with the Giants and Red Sox. PREDICTION: Royals, 2Y/$21M. UPDATE: Red Sox, 1Y/$6M.
Winslow Townson, Associated Press

28. Mike Minor, RP, 30: The Royals signed him in 2016, when he wasn't likely to pitch until 2017. The lefty became a reliever, and a darn good one (1.017 WHIP), convincing him to decline his half of a $10 million mutual option. PREDICTION: Giants, 3Y/$33M. UPDATE: Rangers, 3Y/$28M.
Jim Mone, Associated Press

29. CC Sabathia, SP, 37: If you were starting your draft of this list last spring, the veteran left-hander wouldn't have been anywhere on it. But he seemed to find the fountain of youth, particularly during the postseason push. PREDICTION: Braves, 2Y/$26M. UPDATE: Yankees, 1Y/$10M.
Eric Christian Smith, Associated Press

30. Yusmeiro Petit, RP, 33: He's been a bit under the radar for several years, given the right-hander's spent most of his career out west. Fine time to have his best season, with a WHIP under 1.000 and 10 Ks per nine innings. PREDICTION: White Sox, 3Y/$18M. UPDATE: Athletics, 2Y/$10M.
Kathy Willens, Associated Press

31. Carlos Gomez, CF, 32: After signing a one-year deal last offseason with the Rangers, he re-set his value with an .802 OPS, if not great defense. PREDICTION: Rangers, 2Y/$24M
Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press

33. Mark Reynolds, 1B, 34: The .839 OPS was his best since 2009; same with his RBIs (97). You wonder how much the Coors Field effect hurts his value. PREDICTION: Orioles, 2Y/$16M
Michael Owen Baker, Associated Press

34. Jarrod Dyson, CF, 33: For a light hitter with a .674 OPS, his WAR (2.6) this past year with the Mariners shows you just how good his defense is. PREDICTION: Mariners, 3Y/$25M. UPDATE: Diamondbacks, 2Y/$7.5M.
Elaine Thompson, Associated Press

40. Melky Cabrera, LF, 33: The veteran switch-hitter had a down year by his standards, but remains an affordable, appealing bat for a team on a budget. PREDICTION: Orioles, 2Y/$26M
Matt Marton, Associated Press

41. Mitch Moreland, 1B, 32: He strikes out too much and doesn't get on base enough, but the power makes up for it, as does Gold Glove-caliber defense. PREDICTION: A's, 2Y/$17M. UPDATE: Red Sox, 2Y/$13M.
Michael Dwyer, Associated Press

43. Ah-seop Son, LF, 30: An 11-year star in Korea, his .934 OPS in 2017 was second-best of his career. A good time to make the leap to the States. PREDICTION: Giants, 3Y/$20M. UPDATE: Re-signed to stay in Korea.
Ahn Young-joon, Associated Press

44. Jose Bautista, RF, 37: Almost didn't make the list, which would've been unfathomable a few years back. But a .674 OPS? That'll open some eyes. PREDICTION: Braves, 1Y/$15M
Tom Szczerbowski, Getty Images

46. Jake McGee, RP, 31: Solid for years with the Rays, the lefty was awful his first season in Colorado, but fantastic this season. Good timing. PREDICTION: Rays, 2Y/$17M. UPDATE: Rockies, 3Y/$27M.
David Zalubowski, Associated Press

48. Curtis Granderson, OF, 37: The sun might be setting on this career, but he’s got a few good years left, even if his Dodgers stint proved a bust. PREDICTION: Phillies, 1Y/$14M. UPDATE: Blue Jays, 1Y/$5M.
Mark Tenally, Associated Press

49. Carlos Beltran, DH, 41: His glove was given a “funeral” by the Astros in 2017. He's just a DH, but a decent one — if he even wants to keep playing. PREDICTION: Astros, 1Y/$13M. UPDATE: Retired.
Frank Franklin II, Associated Press

50. Jaime Garcia, SP, 31: The summer trade to the Yankees didn’t work out all that well, but he’s a lefty innings-eater in a market that lacks them. PREDICTION: A's, 2Y/$28M. UPDATE: Blue Jays, 1Y/$10M.
David Dermer, Associated Press

Darvish has agreed to a $126 million, six-year contract with Chicago, giving the Cubs one of the deepest rotations in baseball and taking one of the top players off the slow-moving free agent market.

The 31-year-old Darvish met with Cubs officials way back in December and the sides remained in contact while the right-hander listened to other potential suitors. Texas, Milwaukee, Minnesota and the New York Yankees also reportedly expressed some level of interest, but Chicago’s approach paid off with the agreement just days before the start of spring training.

A person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed the contract to the Associated Press on Saturday on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement. The move was first reported by The Athletic.

The addition of Darvish gives the Cubs a big boost as they try to return to the World Series after winning the title two years ago for the first time since 1908. He joins a formidable rotation that includes Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood, who agreed to a $38 million, three-year contract in December.

Darvish finished last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, helping them knock out the defending champion Cubs in the playoffs to reach the World Series. The Japanese star is expected to take the rotation spot of Jake Arrieta, who became a free agent after a successful run in the Windy City.

The deal for Darvish could help unlock the slow offseason across the sport. Arrieta, who won the NL Cy Young Award in 2015, remains on the market, and Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn also could draw more interest with Darvish locked up.

Darvish went 4-3 with a 3.44 ERA in nine starts with the Dodgers down the stretch. He shut down the Cubs in Game 3 of the NLCS, striking out seven while pitching 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball in a 6-1 victory at Wrigley Field.

But Darvish was hit hard in the World Series against Houston, managing just five outs in each of his two starts – including a loss in Game 7 – and there was talk he was tipping his pitches.

The four-time All-Star has had injury problems, missing the 2015 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He began last year with Texas and was traded to Los Angeles in July, going a combined 10-12 with a 3.86 ERA.

The deal with Darvish comes after the Cubs agreed to a minor league contract with Chris Gimenez, who regularly caught Darvish while they were in Texas and developed a trusted working relationship with the pitcher.